Top 10 Places to Spot Nilgiri Tahr in South India

Nilgiri Tahr is an endangered and endemic ungulate species to the Nilgiri Hills of the Western Ghats. ibex is the state animal of Tamil Nadu and closest relatives of wild sheep.

Nilgiri mountains along with Anaimalai Hills and Palni Hills are other pockets in the Western Ghats, where small populations of Nilgiri tahrs found in the wild.

Eravikulam National Park, Kerala

Eravikulam National Park in the Idukki district of Kerala is home to threatened species of elephant, Gaur and Nilgiri tahr. The park has largest surviving population of Nilgiri tahr in South India.

Mukurthi National Park, Tamil Nadu

Mukurthi National Park at Nilgiris Plateau was previously known as Nilgiri Tahr National Park. The park is a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and home to 200 Nilgiri tahrs.

Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu

Anamalai Tiger Reserve is a protected area in Coimbatore and Tiruppur District of Tamil Nadu. The park is earlier known as Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and known for list of  threatened species of mammals including endangered and endemic Nilgiri tahr.

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is a unique protected area in the Idukki district of Kerala and home to endangered Nilgiri tahr,gaur,Indian elephants and Black Panthers.

Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu

Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary bordered with Periyar Tiger Reserve and protect the vulnerable grizzled giant squirrel along with mouse deer,palm civets, Nilgiri langur and Nilgiri Tahr.

Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, Kerala

Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is a protected area in Chittur taluk. The wildlife sanctuary has a rich diversity of animal life, Important mammals include Nilgiri tahr,Nilgiri marten,Gaur and lion tailed macaques.

Periyar National Park, Kerala

Periyar National Park is a protected area, located high in the Cardamom Hills and Pandalam Hills. The park is an important tiger and elephant reserve and also home for a few of white tigers in South India as well as endemic Nilgiri tahr, lion tailed macaque and Nilgiri langur.

Karian Shola National Park, Tamil Nadu

Karian Shola National Park in the Anaimalai Hills is home to numerous species of bird, reptile and amphibian. The grassland offers an important area for the conservation of the endemic Nilgiri tahr in Tamil Nadu.

Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu

Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari District is second largest protected area in Tamil Nadu State. The Reserve is part of Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve and home to 1 966 Nilgiri tahr.

Palani Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu

Palani Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park of Tamil Nadu is an Eco-tourism hotspot in India. The sanctuary is known for trekking, camping, rock climbing and bird watching along with Nilgiri tahr and grizzled giant squirrel.

Other notable area also include Kulasekaram and Kaliyal Ranges in the Kanyakumari district,Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary, Palani Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park,Kurinjimala Sanctuary, Ponmudi hills in Trivandrum district and Azhakiyapandipuram, Velimalai Ranges of Tamil Nadu.